Atheists Admit Their Disbelief Linked to Emotional Discomfort
Monday, March 21, 2016

Recently, I was on a college campus as a young atheist asked what I thought was the cause behind the growth in the number of people, especially young people, who don't identify as any particular religion. I answered that it is a pretty big question and I think the reasons are varied and diverse as the group to which he was referring. He didn't seem satisfied with that answer.

My young interlocutor may have believed that nonreligious belief is on the increase because human beings are less gullible than in past generations and more willing to believe science can explain the world better than religion. It seems to be a common assumption with those I engage online, even though science cannot banish God. But even if atheists mistakenly assume science can somehow disprove God, this isn't the real basis for their atheism.

Two new studies by the American Psychological Association confirm that disbelief in God for a significant percentage of atheists is not due to dispassionate reasoning, but the effect of emotional or relational discomfort with what they perceived God to be. According to an article in Psychology Today, which summarized the findings, "54% of self-reported atheists indicated some relational and emotional reasons for nonbelief. In the second study, 72% of 429 American adults who expressed some level of atheism or agnosticism endorsed similar reasons."1 Those are pretty high percentages of self-described atheists who admit to an emotional or psychological component contributing to their disbelief.

As the article notes, this isn't a new revelation. Previous studies have shown that atheists have negative feelings toward their conception of God2 and those emotions play a part in their being atheists. Dr. Paul C. Vitz in his book Faith of the Fatherless: The Psychology of Atheism explored the link between what Vitz calls "interpersonal trauma with attachment insecurity" of atheists in history. He sees a link between disbelief on God and defective fathers in the lives of atheists, along with other factors.

What Atheists Themselves Say
The interesting thing in these studies is that the findings are not a result of third-party inference, but the admission of atheists themselves. It's nearly three quarters of atheists who are admitting an emotional reason as contributing to their atheism. Those numbers may be higher in actuality as self-reporting usually leads to lower than actual results. Some people may not realize certain emotional motivations and others may not want to admit to them. Regardless, the two studies referenced report the majority of atheists who participated do indeed have emotional reasons for not wanting God as they understand him to exist.

The reason all of this is important is a practical one. Just as dispassionate reasoning alone doesn't usually account for one's disbelief, it follows that dispassionate reasoning alone will only go so far in helping one believe in the God of the universe. As human beings, we are relational creatures. That's part of how we reflect God's image. If you're a master at facts and argumentation in defending the faith but you don't bother to get to know the person, you aren't going to be very effective. People are people and all want to feel like individuals who hold worth. That includes nonbelievers. Don't lead off conversations with your best arguments. Get to know one another. Build relationships. Show them real care and you may find a real person who's willing to share real hurts. Only then will they be really ready to listen.

References
1. Tix, Andy, PhD. "The New Psychology of Atheism." Psychology Today. Psychology Today, 21 Mar. 2016. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
2. Bradley, David F., Julie J. Exline, and Alex Uzdavines. "The God of Nonbelievers: Characteristics of a Hypothetical God." Science, Religion and Culture SRC 2.3 (2015): 120-30. Web

http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2016/03/atheists-admit-their-disbelief-linked.html

One of their many reasons....

Sure.

So many Atheists embracing Christ....

May God keep drawing them to Christ.

Maamin:


So many Atheists embracing Christ....

May God keep drawing them to Christ.

Amen!

There is definitely a emotional link. Atheists tend to believe things based on their feelings and lies. Science has even shown atheists become "emotionally aroused" when ask to dare God.

It's not about emotions it's about reason and science. At least for me.

Maamin:
So many Atheists embracing Christ....

May God keep drawing them to Christ.

If God really cared about atheist, or the word he'll reveal himself at the very least. He's God so he'll know what would be an unexplainable feat that would make people believe.

Arguments like : No that would affect our freewill makes no sense as God has tampered with freewill in scriptures over and over again.

.

Heathen777:


If God really cared about atheist, or the word he'll reveal himself at the very least. He's God so he'll know what would be an unexplainable feat that would make people believe.

Arguments like : No that would affect our freewill makes no sense as God has tampered with freewill in scriptures over and over again.

How many times would He reveal Himself before He can be believed? Will you believe if you saw Him tonite standing by you saying, 'Hey, I am God?'

Anas09:

How many times would He reveal Himself before He can be believed? Will you believe if you saw Him tonite standing by you saying, 'Hey, I am God?'

It's more than just standing at my side , and revealing himself... It's about proving he's God, and presenting irrefutable evidence of his omnipotence and power.... So far the only place that has been shown to happen is in the stories of the bible like this one:

Exodus 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

Heathen777:



It's more than just standing at my side , and revealing himself... It's about proving he's God, and presenting irrefutable evidence of his omnipotence and power.... So far the only place that has been shown to happen is in the stories of the bible like this one:

Exodus 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

In other words, God should act according your terms? So that He will be more God when you believe Him abi? So now that you don't believe in Him he is less God?

When i call you guys agents of Satan you cry out. This is the exact proposition satan posted to Jesus on the mountain, and here you are again doing the same.

Satan said to Jesus, If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread and i will believe you. Now he is inside of you using your mouth to demand that the Only Potentate do as you say, so that what will happen?

Son, you can't even make me a woman, do as you please except am willing, you believe the Ancient of Days will do your will?

All the demons in Hell can not demand that from one Angel, but you think you can. Hahahahahahahahha. YHWH revealed Himself once as Jesus, the next time that will happen is when you and the demons in you shall stand judgement before Him.

Gerarahia

Fake news again.


Atheists do not believe in God because there is no evidence. Simple

Heathen777:


It's not about emotions it's about reason and science. At least for me.

How can you convince these fish in a bowl that denies the existence of water?

OLAADEGBU:


How can you convince these fish in a bowl that denies the existence of water?

You remove the fish from water and then it chokes to death.


You remove God from someones life and then nothing happens




Interesting

superhumanist:



You remove the fish from water and then it chokes to death.


You remove God from someones life and then nothing happens




Interesting

You got it twisted. Fish in the bowl stands for the atheists and water in the bowl stands for God. You are right when you say if you remove fish from the water that it would choke to death. Now apply that to the atheist if you think you are logical.